Bestselling author Michael Gurian will share his extensive research on the differences in how boys and girls learn, addressing such influencers as distinctions in hard-wiring and socialized gender differences. Michael will presents a proven method to educate our children based on brain science, neurological development, and chemical and hormonal disparities.
Michael Gurian is a social philosopher, family therapist, corporate consultant, and New York Times bestselling author of 26 books published in 20 languages. Titles include The Wonder of Boys, The Wonder of Girls, Boys and Girls Learn Differently, and Leadership and the Sexes. Michael has pioneered efforts to bring neurobiology and brain research into homes, schools, corporations, and public policy. The Gurian Institute, which he co-founded, conducts research internationally, launches pilot programs, and trains professionals. Michael has been called "the people's philosopher" for his ability to bring together people's ordinary lives and scientific ideas.

By emphasizing our common origins with other humans, other living species, and with Earth and the universe itself, the Montessori Cosmic Education curriculum calls upon each person to help make the world more peaceful, socially just, and respectful of nature. This workshop will explore practical ways to make this understanding of a part of the classroom at every level, so that teachers and students alike will increase consciousness and awareness of our personal cosmic task.
Michael Duffy, MEd, has been involved in Montessori education since his daughter entered her first Montessori class some 40 years ago. After 21 years as a journalist, he became a teacher, earning AMS EI-II credentials. Michael was a cofounder of Blackstock Montessori School in Villa Rica, GA, where he taught at the Elementary I and II levels, and ran the school's media center. A consultant to schools nationwide, he has also been a teacher educator for CMTE/NY and Montessori teacher education programs in Puerto Rico and Vancouver. Michael is the author of Math Works: Montessori Math and the Developing Brain and the co-author of Children of the Universe: Cosmic Education in the Montessori Elementary Classroom and Love of Learning: Supporting Intrinsic Motivation in Montessori Students.

How can we use the teachings of neuroscience to bring language alive and inspire children to choose language work in our Montessori classrooms? How can we guide children to independent language expression and creativity? Join us for a brain-based look at the meeting point of current research and Montessori pedagogy. ??Julia Volkman is the founder and president of Maitri Learning, a Montessori materials company; and a teacher and mentor to children and teachers since 1997. A former teaching assistant for the Mind, Brain, Health, and Education course at Harvard University’s Extension School, she is now nearing completion of her master’s degree in psychology, also at Harvard. Julia’s studies focus on cognitive neuroscience and neuroeducation (a transdisciplinary approach to education that considers the child’s genetics, environment, capacities, and interests). She is also a former advisory panel member for and contributor to the Annenberg Foundation’s Neuroscience in the Classroom course and an intern supervisor for the Northeast Montessori Institute. Julia holds an AMI Early Childhood credential.

Thursday, Sept. 18, 2014, 7:00-8:30 PM (ET)
Presenter: Michelle Lane-Barmapov ?For: Teachers and parents of children of all ages??Register an Individual?Register a Group
This webinar will introduce teachers and parents to ways of effectively working with children on the autism spectrum by blending the Montessori approach with ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis). Attendees come away with strategies to put to use immediately both in school and at home. No pre-knowledge of ABA is required.
Michelle Lane-Barmapov is founder of the Lane Montessori School for Autism (previously known as the Toronto Montessori School for Autism) in Toronto, Canada. This not-for-profit school was the first of its kind to combine Applied Behavior Analysis with the Montessori curriculum—an approach Michele herself created. (Unfortunately, due to lack of funds, the school closed in 2010.) Currently Michelle is a French Immersion Montessori teacher in Toronto, Ontario. She also has a consulting business (“Lane”), which offers families and professionals the opportunity to learn about the blended method and implement strategies in their own programs. A former Montessori student, Michelle is the author of Autism-A Montessori Approach. In 2005, she was awarded The Premier’s Award in recognition of her outstanding work in special education and Montessori. She holds an AMS Early Childhood credential and lives in Toronto with her husband and 3 children.

Thursday, Aug. 21, 2014 7:00-8;30 PM (ET)
Presenter: Linda S. Zankowsky, EdD ?For: Early Childhood and Elementary teachers and school administrators; teacher educators
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Following the child to reading independence requires thoughtful planning and consideration as Montessori teachers enter the new school year. Drawing from her work on classroom-based assessment in Montessori schools, Linda will provide an overview of developmental benchmarks in reading and specific ways that Montessori teachers can learn about children in relation to those benchmarks in the first 6 weeks of school. Using this information, you will be better prepared to ensure that your classroom environments and activities support each child’s growth as a reader.
Linda S. Zankowsky, EdD, an associate director at the Delaware Center for Teacher Education at the University of Delaware, where she leads the Office of Clinical Studies, is a former head of school at Wilmington Montessori School in Wilmington, DE, a past member of the AMS Research Committee and the AMS Task Force on Professional Development, and the vice chair of Montessori Works, an organization devoted to expanding accessible Montessori in Delaware. Linda’s doctoral dissertation, “School-Wide Reading Assessment in a Montessori Program,” is available online in the AMS Research Library.